Snowdon: Hiking Guide to the Highest Mountain in Wales (UK)

Snowdon is one of the highest peaks in the British Isles (outside Scotland) and the highest mountain in Wales.

Snowdon is one of the most popular things to do in Snowdonia National Park and in Wales. Based on Welsh folklore, Snowdon is believed to be the burial place of the giant Ogre Rhita defeated by King Arthur.

The mountain range is located in the Snowdonia National Park which is protected under the Special Area of Conservation due to its rich biodiversity. The Snowdonia National Park is a popular holiday destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

You can just simply rent an RV (campervan) or camp in the designated areas within the national park, and the beautiful Welsh nature is just in front of your doorstep.

The first time I hiked Snowdon was in 2011. We took the Miners Path, quick but difficult terrain to go up to the summit and descended using a different and longer trail – Llanberis path.

This didn’t go very well because due to the fact that we had to collect our car from our starting point at the Pen-y-pass which is on the other side of the mountain. Since we descended pretty late, there were no Sherpa buses running at the time, so we had to walk again!

It was a shock to the system and I ended up being sore for the next 3 days.

The second hike was a bit different. We hiked the popular Llanberis route on our way up to the summit and tried our luck as standby passengers of the Snowdon mountain railway.

We were pretty lucky that day that we managed to get a train down to the Llanberis town from the Snowdon summit. Special thanks to those guys at the train station, who did their best to help us.

Experience a fantastic day trip and other awesome activities around Snowdonia National Park

Facts about Snowdon

Snowdon is 3,560 feet (1085 metres) above the sea level. That makes it the highest peak in England and Wales.

Located in North Wales, near Llanberis town. Llanberis is where you can get the Snowdonia Mountain Railway that goes to the summit of the mountain.

From the Snowdon summit, you can see the vast and beautiful Welsh landscape, the Menai Strait, Anglesey and the Irish sea.

Snowdon is included in 3 peaks challenge. People do the 3 peaks challenge in order to raise money for charity. The participants need to hike the three peaks of Great Britain in three days. They are the Ben Nevis (1,345m), Snowdon (1,085m) and Scafell Pike (978m).

Of course, another way to reach the summit is via the Snowdon Mountain Railway that starts in Llanberis. The train tickets sell pretty quickly so I recommend pre-booking your trip in advance. You can also try your luck and be a standby passenger, but this is not guaranteed.

The Snowdon Sherpa bus service goes around the foot of the mountain to collect passengers and take them to the various other bus stops just in case they’ve decided to take two different routes on their way up and down Mount Snowdon.

Where to stay

Snowdonia National Park has been a popular holiday destination. There are a few hostels and campsites located at the foot of the mountain at a very affordable cost.

If you want to do a little road trip around the Welsh valley and national park, you can rent an RV (Campervan). There are also some static caravan parks available around the area.

Things needed for the hike

Here are the things that I can recommend to take with your during your trek to Snowdon.

Experience a fantastic day trip and other awesome activities around Snowdonia National Park

I’m definitely sure you will have a fantastic time hiking to the summit of Snowdon. Make sure to check the weather forecast on the day that you are planning to visit, the paths are slippery and can be dangerous. The strong winds during bad weather can also disrupt your hike.

Always remember, do not litter and help the government to protect and promote the sustainability of the Snowdonia National Park.

Have you conquered Snowdon or just love hiking and the great outdoors?

I would love to know your tips and experiences in the comment box below.

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About The Author

She is named after a Russian city near Moscow. The Miss Zan-shine of Everything Zany. She likes to travel, history, meet people & try exotic foods! Planning to explore more countries with her D.I.Y trips as a Dual Citizen (British – Filipina). Explore, discover and learn.

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Hi! I'm Ryazan! The Miss ZAN-shine behind this blog. I'm a dual citizen (British - Filipina) living in the UK. I share stories and helpful tips about the best of both worlds.

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